I eagerly watched the auction wishing I had the extra cash to bid. I was hoping it would go to a JFer and we would be able to keep this beauty in the family and get to continue to watch it's progress! Congrats! I'm sure you will do a great job!

Why not give the Golen 4.6L I6 stroker engine a shot? You can get one that is a direct bolt on for a YJ so you can buy and stretch a YJ frame, pop this 260hp replacement engine in there, and not worry about all the conversion headaches that many of the other engines requested will require. And it stays very true to keeping it as close to "factory" as possible.

Why not give the Golen 4.6L I6 stroker engine a shot? You can get one that is a direct bolt on for a YJ so you can buy and stretch a YJ frame, pop this 260hp replacement engine in there, and not worry about all the conversion headaches that many of the other engines requested will require. And it stays very true to keeping it as close to "factory" as possible.

In addition to the stretch of the YJ frame you mention, some additional fabrication would be required to mount the Gaucho bed to the wider YJ frame. And a little bit of fab is typically required to get a CJ grille shell to mount properly on the YJ frame.

__________________"Whether you think you can do something or you think you can't, you are right" - Henry Ford

Why not give the Golen 4.6L I6 stroker engine a shot? You can get one that is a direct bolt on for a YJ so you can buy and stretch a YJ frame, pop this 260hp replacement engine in there, and not worry about all the conversion headaches that many of the other engines requested will require. And it stays very true to keeping it as close to "factory" as possible.

I took a look at the Golen 4.6. The motor is $3500 before tax and shipping as a long block, then I would have to buy all the brackets and parts individually or buy a donor motor. So in the end this option is in the $4000 range just for an engine. I could get an entire drivetrain for that price, or even a whole running donor vehicle. I'm not kicking the engine, but its a lot of money. I don't have endless funds, so I need a bit more price effective option.
I was planning to build a truck similar to this, but decided to buy the Gaucho because everything I don't do (welding/ fabrication/ bodywork) is pretty much done. I have thought about stretching a YJ frame, but I would need to have someone do it, which would be another expense in the build. So, for now, I'm keeping the frame Jeff built. I actually do have a YJ frame already from the collection of parts to build a pickup. If anyone is interested in the YJ frame, its for sale.

2) 4.0L/NV3550 (or AW4)/Dana300
Pros: Large availability of parts, reliable, mostly a bolt in
Cons: Cant really think of any
Upgrade of choice: I dont know much about the 4.0L's so I'll leave this to someone else

5) 5.3L/4L60E/Dana300 (My personal choice but I might be biased)
Pros: Great Power, good fuel economy (I get 20+mpg highway), reliability, lots of aftermarket already, pretty easily sourced (I got my 2001 5.3/4L60E combo for 1050$ with computer) Surprisingly easy to set up with a little help from the people who have done it already.
Cons: slightly higher initial cost for adapters and auxiliaries
Upgrade of choice: None I can think of...maybe a turbo kit??

6) Other combos... (4bt, stroked I6, SBF's, etc)

As for axles. unless you plan to wheel the crap out of this thing or run huge tires. I'd rebuild the CJ axles with some one piece shafts and call it a day. At the most run Wagoneer D44's but I wouldnt go any wider than that. For a street queen/light work truck, those axles will be great behind any of those engine combos.

This is just my on the possible ways to do this. I'd personally like to see it stay as close to CJ as possible with the 258 setup but if you go SBC the Gen IV's cant be beat!

2) 4.0L/NV3550 (or AW4)/Dana300
Pros: Large availability of parts, reliable, mostly a bolt in
Cons: Cant really think of any
Upgrade of choice: I dont know much about the 4.0L's so I'll leave this to someone else

5) 5.3L/4L60E/Dana300 (My personal choice but I might be biased)
Pros: Great Power, good fuel economy (I get 20+mpg highway), reliability, lots of aftermarket already, pretty easily sourced (I got my 2001 5.3/4L60E combo for 1050$ with computer) Surprisingly easy to set up with a little help from the people who have done it already.
Cons: slightly higher initial cost for adapters and auxiliaries
Upgrade of choice: None I can think of...maybe a turbo kit??

6) Other combos... (4bt, stroked I6, SBF's, etc)

As for axles. unless you plan to wheel the crap out of this thing or run huge tires. I'd rebuild the CJ axles with some one piece shafts and call it a day. At the most run Wagoneer D44's but I wouldnt go any wider than that. For a street queen/light work truck, those axles will be great behind any of those engine combos.

This is just my on the possible ways to do this. I'd personally like to see it stay as close to CJ as possible with the 258 setup but if you go SBC the Gen IV's cant be beat!

decisions decisions decisions. options 1 through 5 are all possible. I just don't know. If I stick with the stock axles with one piece shafts and gear change, are they strong enough for moderate wheeling and a v8. I don't think tires larger than 33's (maybe 35's) will fit in the rear wheel wells without cutting the fenders that Jeff made. I am not cutting them (don't worry Jeff), and besides, I think 33's are enough for the Gaucho.

I would think stock axles could easily handle 33's. Mine have held up OK behind my 5.3L on 33's now for over a year with no problems. Its all in how you drive it. I'm hoping you dont plan on beating this thing like it stole something from you!